TEN

"Well, that's quite a story," said Tannara after Nick had told him about Daphne's plan. "To risk coming here to kill me to avenge herself on the vampire who sired her? Very bold. But you must realize that she would stand little chance here. Besides myself there are more than a dozen high level vampires here. Each has vowed to give their lives before allowing any harm to come to me. Surely the threat of a single Dhampir is of no consequence."

"Ordinarily I'd agree with you," said Nick. "But according to LaCroix this is no ordinary Dhampir. She's the daughter of an elder. He never told me which one. But he said she has the powers of a full vampire."

"Even a full vampire would be hard pressed to get to me," said Tannara, "let alone be able to kill me. Even one such as Angelus would be no match for a dozen vampires and myself. No offense intended but everyone has their limits."

"None taken," said Angel. "I know I'm not invincible. But one of the people who works for me also found an ancient prophecy supposedly about this Dhampir. The prophecy says that she'll kill you restarting the vampire wars of over a thousand years ago."

"Yes, the vampire wars," said Tannara, closing his eyes. "I was there. It was whole scale chaos. Vampire killing vampire. And the mortals caught in the middle."

"You were there?" questioned Nick.

"Yes," said Tannara. "You find that surprising? I'm a vampire. I was turned when I was barely 22. And as you know, vampires do not age as humans do. Being so young looking does have its advantages. Many of my opponents have a tendency to underestimate me because they don't realize just how old I am."

"We need to find this Daphne," said Angel. "Put a stop to her before she can get to you. If we can stop her before she gets to you then we can circumvent the prophecy and prevent the wars from starting all over again."

Tannara picked up the phone on his desk and pressed a button. A moment later a vampire dressed in a suit stepped into the room and stood in front of the desk waiting for Tannara to speak.

"This is Valen," Tannara explained to Angel and Nick. "He's my personal assistant." He turned back to the vampire. "Valen, apparently there's a Stryx Dhampir in Los Angeles. I want her found. She's to be killed on sight. The vampire that kills her will be rewarded for their service."

"Yes, sir," said Valen. "I will attend to it immediately."

"Oh, and Valen," said Tannara. "This is Nicholas Knight. As you can tell he's a Stryx as well. I want word passed that as long as he's in Los Angeles he's under my personal protection. He's not to be harmed."

"You realize the Master will not be happy about this," said Valen, glancing at Nick. "Vetala do not protect Stryx. It has been so for many centuries."

"I will explain it to the Master," said Tannara. "He will understand. But I want it made very clear that this Stryx is under my personal protection. Make sure that word of it gets out to all Vetala in Los Angeles."

"Word will be passed before dawn," said Valen.

"He's a good assistant," said Tannara as Valen left the room. "But sometimes I think he worries too much about me."

"Thanks," said Nick. "At least I don't have to worry about a Vetala trying to take me out while I'm here. We have enough to worry about without some vampire trying to settle a score more than a thousand years old."

"Well, you may still have to be concerned with it," said Tannara. "There are always a few rogues who do not listen to the elders. Some Vetala may still choose settle the old score, as you put it. I cannot be held responsible for the actions of a rogue who chooses not to follow my edict."

"I understand that," said Nick. "But I think I can handle a rogue. It wouldn't be the first time I've had to deal with someone coming after me for revenge."

"I'm sure," said Tannara. He handed LaCroix's ring back to Nick. "I've put out the word that this Daphne is to be killed on sight. Chances are she won't live more than a day or two at most. In which case all of our problems will be solved."

"She may survive," said Nick. "If she's as powerful as LaCroix implied most regular vampires may not be able to handle her. There aren't many vampires that can go up against an elder and survive."

"Which is why I've had the word spread that you are under my protection," said Tannara. "Other than what Lucien has told me, I actually know very little about you, Mr. Knight. But I'm very familiar with Angelus's reputation. And even though he has a soul and goes by Angel now, I know that he still possesses the skills and attributes he's always possessed. Which means even an elder might be hard pressed to stand against him. Between the two of you, you may be able stop her before she can get here.

"That notwithstanding, I will be employing more vampires as guards on my home. When – and if – this Dhampir should get here, she'll find this place quite well protected. As you, this is not the first time I've had to deal with someone bent on revenge against me. And I can assure you that should she gain entry into this house she will find it more than adequately defended. She'll barely make it past the entryway."

"I wouldn't feel too overconfident," said Nick. "LaCroix is not one to run scared. If he thinks this is as serious as he says I have a tendency to believe him."

"Don't worry, my friend," said Tannara. "I have no desire to be killed by some half breed who blames all the vampire community for her happenstance of birth. I will be extremely well protected and the covenant will be safe."

He paused for a moment.

"I do want to make one think perfectly clear, however," he said, suddenly becoming very serious. "I have no love for Stryx. I admire Lucien because of his efficiency and tenacity. He is a very worthy opponent. But we are far from friends. And my protection of you extends only as long as this crisis exists. Once the matter is concluded I will expect you to leave the Los Angeles area immediately and never return. Until and unless the territories change which will allow your kind to live here."

"That's clearly understood," said Nick. "And I have no desire to stay here any longer than necessary. As soon as the Dhampir is dealt with I'll return to Sacramento. You have my word."

"I shall hold you to that word," said Tannara. "And if you should go back on it I can assure you, you're your stay here would be short lived. I'll have you destroyed without a second thought."

"I completely understand," said Nick.

Tannara turned to Angel.

"I assume your cooperation with this Stryx is because of the danger to the Mustadi Covenant and not because of some misplaced kinship you may feel toward him. You are still a Vetala even though you now possess a soul. Do not mistake that the Stryx are still our sworn enemies. And most would destroy you on sight given the chance."

"We're working together to protect the covenant," said Angel. "Nothing more. Once our business is concluded I doubt we'll see each other ever again."

"Good," said Tannara, picking up his glass of blood. "I would offer you both a drink but as I understand it, neither of you indulges in human blood any longer. You may see yourselves out. I trust there will be no reason for you to pay me a second visit."

Angel and Nick turned and left the room. As they left the several vampires watched them intently. They left the house and walked toward the car.

"He may be right," said Angel. "He seems to have enough vampires to protect him even from Daphne."

"Maybe not," said Nick. "You haven't been around as long as I have. I've seen LaCroix do things that would amaze you. I even staked him once but he didn't die. I'm not really sure what it would take to kill him. If Daphne is the Dhampir of an elder she may have this same strength. If she does she may be harder to get rid of than we imagine."

"We'll just have to wait until we find her to see. In the mean time we'd better get back to the hotel. Gunn may have learned something or Wesley may have learned something in his books that might be helpful. And we still have to find her. That's proving to be problematical."

"We'll just have to keep looking. We should be able to get back to the hotel well before sunrise. We can start looking for her tomorrow night."

As Nick drove back to the Hyperion the two continued to talk. They were discovering they had much more in common than simply being vampires. And for a change they each had someone they could talk with who really understood what they were going through. A bond was forming between them that would have been impossible with any other creature.